Chapter 28: Then That Depends on Your Ability, Second Uncle

Jiang Zhixuan and Wen Yan’s engagement banquet was held at the Jiangjin Restaurant. Jiang Zhouyi was clearly taking this very seriously, spending a significant amount of money to elevate the décor of the entire venue. A runway had been constructed in the lobby on the third floor, accented by an archway of white roses at the front. On either side of the large screen stood engagement photos of the couple; they were a handsome pair, certainly a sight to behold.

By the time Jiang Mian arrived, many guests had already gathered. Jiang Zhouyi stood in the third-floor corridor, beaming as he greeted arrivals, though his smile stiffened for a fleeting moment when he caught sight of her. She paid it no mind and continued inside as usual.

As Jiang Zhixuan, dressed in her gown, hurried over from the dressing room, Jiang Mian was standing quietly to the side of Jiang Zhouyi. Seeing her arrive, a smile returned to Jiang Zhouyi’s face. "Xuanxuan, come and help greet the guests."

With that, he shifted his gaze to Jiang Mian, his tone laced with a hint of impatience. "Jiang Mian, come with me."

To ensure the arriving guests had a place to rest, Jiang Zhouyi had generously booked out the sixth and seventh floors of the Jiangjin Restaurant. The two entered the elevator one after the other. Jiang Mian said nothing, merely staring blankly at the halo of light reflected on the elevator doors.

*Ding.*

The elevator doors opened. Jiang Zhouyi stepped out, and Jiang Mian lifted her head, following him. They passed several open rooms until they reached the very end of the hall, where Jiang Zhouyi finally stopped. The door before them was tightly shut, with a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging from the handle. He turned the knob, pushed the door open, and strode inside.

The air conditioning had likely been running for a long time; as Jiang Mian stepped in, she felt a chill against her arms. She closed the door behind her, and when she turned around, Jiang Zhouyi was already seated in a chair before the floor-to-ceiling window. A pot of tea sat on a round table, steam curling from the spout as if it had just been brewed. She walked over and stopped two steps away.

"Why did you ask to see me, Second Uncle?"

The man lifted his eyelids to look at her, raising a small ceramic cup to pour himself some tea. She was wearing a new Chinese-style qipao today, its white hem brushing her ankles, with light-colored bamboo leaves scattered across the fabric, lending her an ethereal quality. Her long hair was braided and pinned at the back of her head with pearl-encrusted clips. Despite her light makeup, the faint pink eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes added a touch of charm. She looked like a breeze in early summer, immensely refreshing to behold.

"Jiang Mian, you know that the Jiang Corporation isn’t doing well right now, and your Second Uncle has been exhausting himself trying to keep things afloat."

He spoke slowly, squinting at her while gently swirling the tea in his cup. She lowered her eyes, offering no reply. Jiang Zhouyi didn't seem to care whether she responded, continuing, "You hold a considerable amount of shares. Now that the company is facing difficulties, you ought to do something."

"And what exactly is it that you want, Second Uncle?"

She clasped her hands together in front of her, chin tilted slightly upward, looking at Jiang Zhouyi as he leaned back in his chair, her expression unreadable.

He chuckled softly, tapping his fingers on the table. "Jiang Mian, if your Second Uncle wants to cooperate with the Wen Enterprise, there must be some sacrifices. You don't want to see the Jiang Corporation collapse, do you?"

It was truly ironic. When he snatched the company away, he hadn't given her a second thought; now that there was trouble, he remembered her.

"You want to sacrifice me?" She curled her lips into a cold smile.

"Look at you, saying such things. I am doing this for the sake of the Jiang Corporation." Jiang Zhouyi smiled, leaning back with a malevolent glint in his eyes.

Her fingertips dug into her palms, and only when she felt a sharp sting did she suddenly relax her grip. There were several deep, uneven nail marks in her palms. She stepped back, filled with disappointment.

"Second Uncle, one shouldn't be too greedy."

The room fell silent for a moment. She frowned, her throat feeling tight and bitter, and the look she gave Jiang Zhouyi was full of loathing.

"I wasn't asking for your permission. If you refuse to give it, I have plenty of ways to get it."

He slammed his ceramic cup onto the table with a loud crash. Jiang Mian’s eyelashes fluttered, and a bitter smile appeared on her face. "Then I suppose that depends on your ability, Second Uncle."

It was amusing, really—father and daughter alike, both coming to snatch things from her hands, and now becoming enraged when met with resistance. She rolled her eyes internally, feeling as if the air in the room had turned foul. She turned to leave, but before she had taken many steps, Jiang Zhouyi’s voice came from behind.

"Jiang Mian, don't blame me for not warning you: without the Jiang Corporation as your backing, you are nothing."

Her pace faltered, and she tilted her head slightly, though she did not turn back. Taking a deep breath, she strode forward, pulled open the door, and stepped out. How many times had her studio actually relied on the Jiang Corporation since its founding? She was genuinely curious—if she truly lost the Jiang Corporation as a crutch, would she really fail to survive?

Turning into the stairwell, Jiang Mian slowed her pace and leaned against the corner of the wall. After the motion-sensor light went out, she was left in darkness. She lifted her hand, lowered her gaze to touch the nail marks on her palm, and couldn't help but grit her teeth.

Was Jiang Zhouyi so desperate to climb the social ladder through the Wen Enterprise? It was just an engagement to Wen Yan; he wasn't even a pivotal figure in the Wen family. At that thought, Wen Qinhuai’s face surfaced in her mind. He would surely be attending today’s banquet, wouldn't he?

She sighed and rubbed her arms. If half of the Jiang Corporation were handed over to Wen Qinhuai, with his methods, she would likely never have a chance to take it back. Yet, last time, he had clearly refused.

"Would he refuse again?" Jiang Mian couldn't gauge Wen Qinhuai’s intentions. He was, after all, a businessman who prioritized profit; if Jiang Zhouyi was willing to pay the price, there would be no reason for him to refuse, would there?

She tugged at her earlobe, feeling exceptionally restless. She crouched in the stairwell for a long while before she finally managed to calm down.

"Big Brother."

Jiang Zhixuan wore a radiant smile as she hurried to greet Wen Qinhuai. Now that she was engaged to Wen Yan, it was only proper to address Wen Qinhuai as her elder brother. He offered no protest, merely nodding as he walked inside with Xiao Ming.

Entering the lobby, they saw round tables and chairs lining both sides of the runway, with many guests already seated. Scanning the room, his gaze fell upon someone sitting in a corner. She was bowing her head slightly, arms resting on the table, fingers tapping away at her phone, her expression looking far from happy. She was the only one sitting at that table.

Wen Qinhuai paused, then headed in that direction.

"Miss Jiang, may we sit here?"

She looked up at the sound of his voice, blinked at the two men standing before her, and nodded. "Of course, Mr. Wen, please make yourself comfortable."

Even if he wanted to take her own seat, she wouldn't be in a position to refuse!